With only two goals from their previous four league games Walsall's urgent need is for more fire power.
Vale, who have similar problems in attack, had more reason than Walsall to be happy with the result.
Following five successive defeats there were few indications of Walsall emerging from their depressive start.
After winning promotion last season Walsall had been expected to make a better start. Now they are on the back foot with an obvious injection of fresh talent badly needed to lift themselves out of the doldrums.
Once again a lack of self-confidence was a major reason why they were unable to capitalise upon some decent approach work.
Darren Wrack, in particular, wasted a glorious opportunity to put the Saddlers ahead close to half-time but was a trifle too slow and goalkeeper Joe Anyon was able to block the shot.
Walsall thought they were robbed of a first-half penalty when George Pilkington appeared to handle but a lenient referee decided otherwise.
Vale's attack also demonstrated some danger on occasions with the on-loan Dave McGoldrick from Southampton creating a lot of trouble for Ian Roper and Scott Dann.
Midway through the second half Vale survived a hectic scramble on goal when Roper's shot was blocked and skipper Martin Butler hooked his shot wide.
A brilliant diving save by Clayton Ince from Marc Richards kept Walsall in the game as the match suddenly came alive in a hectic final 15 minutes.
But neither side had a player capable of applying the finishing touch and the game predictably drifted to a goalless draw with McGoldrick missing the best chance of the match when he completely missed his kick with only Ince to beat.